Ford to unveil solar hybrid concept car at CES

[Omaha Steve]

Source: AP-Excite

LAS VEGAS (AP) - Ford plans to unveil at this month's International CES gadget show a solar-powered concept car that offers the same performance as a plug-in hybrid but without the need for a plug.

The C-MAX Solar Energi Concept car uses a gasoline engine combined with a gizmo that acts like a magnifying glass to concentrate the sun's rays on the vehicle's roof-mounted solar panels. The automaker says the vehicle's estimated combined city-highway mileage is 100 mpg.

Ford says that by using solar power instead of an electric plug, a typical owner will reduce their annual greenhouse gas emissions by four metric tons.

The company says it sold about 85,000 hybrid or electric vehicles in 2013, including 6,300 units of its C-MAX Energi plug-in hybrid.

FULL story at link.


Read more: http://apnews.excite.com/article/20140102/DAB2MNDO2.html

[FailureToCommunicate]

1. +1 for "gizmo" !

Solectria's early life at a school nearby: (1990)

[Fuddnik]

2. Take whatever Ford says with a pound of salt.

I bought a C-Max Hybrid back in June. Even traded in a Prius to buy it. It was supposed to get 47 mpg.

After 5,000 miles, I haven't gotten better than 38 mpg. And neither has anyone else. They reprogrammed the module to increase the mileage. Didn't do shit.

Then they sent every buyer a check for $550 dollars to pay for the extra fuel, we'll need to buy. And a new window sticker claiming 43 mpg.

There are several class action suits pending.

Fuck you Ford.

[marble falls]

4. What can't US manufacturers put a recharge plug on their hybrids????? Went with my dad .....

to the Buick lot in Tempe and they do have a nice hybrid. No freaking plug.